Net Worth Ranker
What Was Glen Campbell’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in 2017, Glen Campbell, the celebrated American musician and television personality, had a net worth of $50 million. This substantial wealth was accumulated over a career that spanned five decades, encompassing album sales, television appearances, concert performances, and songwriting royalties.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Glen Travis Campbell was born on April 22, 1936, in Billstown, Arkansas. He began his musical journey at the age of four with a $5 Sears guitar gifted by his father. By six, he was already performing on local radio stations, demonstrating his early talent. In 1954, at the age of 17, Campbell moved to Albuquerque and joined his uncle’s band. Four years later, he formed his own band, the Western Wranglers. These early experiences, though not directly quantifiable in monetary terms, were crucial in shaping his musical foundation and paving the way for his future success.
In 1960, Campbell’s career took a significant turn when he moved to Los Angeles to work as a session musician. He became part of The Wrecking Crew, a collective of Los Angeles studio musicians. During this period, Campbell played on numerous recordings for renowned artists, including Ricky Nelson, The Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Kingston Trio, and The Beach Boys. While his exact earnings from these sessions are not publicly available, his contributions to these hit records undoubtedly boosted his reputation and earning potential.
Campbell signed with Crest Records after leaving the Champs in 1961 and released his first solo single, “Turn Around, Look at Me,” which reached #62 on the “Billboard” Hot 100. In 1965, Campbell achieved a breakthrough with his cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Universal Soldier,” which peaked at #45 on the Hot 100. The exact sales figures for these early singles are not easily accessible, but they marked the beginning of his solo career.
In 1967, “Burning Bridges,” Campbell’s first collaboration with producer Al De Lory, became a top 20 country hit, after signing with Capitol Records. This was followed by a string of successful songs, including “Gentle on My Mind,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “I Wanna Live,” and “Wichita Lineman.” His recording of “Gentle on My Mind” garnered Campbell two Grammy Awards. “Wichita Lineman” reached #3 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 15 weeks. Details regarding the specific royalties and sales figures for each of these hit songs are not publicly available. Another significant milestone was his co-starring role in the 1969 John Wayne film “True Grit,” where he also sang the title song, co-written by Don Black and Elmer Bernstein, which was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards.
Television Career and Endorsements
Campbell expanded his reach into television, appearing on “Star Route” in 1964 and on ABC’s “Shindig!” and “Hollywood Jamboree.” He was offered his own variety show, “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,” after filling in as a replacement host for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1968. “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” aired on CBS from 1969 to 1972 and featured musical performances and comedy sketches. The exact salary Campbell earned from hosting “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” remains undisclosed.
Following the cancellation of “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,” Campbell continued to appear on television as a guest on talk shows and in specials and awards shows. He was a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” and “The Midnight Special.” The earnings from these television appearances, though supplemental to his music career, contributed to his overall income.
Later Career Successes
The 1970s proved to be a commercially successful period for Campbell. His singles “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights” both reached #1 in the United States. “Rhinestone Cowboy” became Campbell’s best-selling single, with over two million copies sold. While the precise royalty rates he received are not known, the sales figures indicate substantial income from these hits. Other hits from this era included “Sunflower,” written by Neil Diamond, and “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.).” From 1982 to 1983, Campbell hosted a syndicated music show.
Campbell’s career continued into the 21st century. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008, he released his first album with Capitol in over 15 years. In 2010, he released “Ghost on the Canvas,” a companion album. The financial details of these later album releases, including advances and royalties, remain private.
In 2010, Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which led to a final “Goodbye Tour” with three of his children. After the tour, he recorded his final album, “Adiós,” which was released five years later. His final recorded song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” was featured in the 2014 documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The proceeds from the documentary and the song likely contributed to his estate, but specific financial details are not available.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Information regarding Glen Campbell’s real estate holdings is limited. Public records do not provide a comprehensive list of all properties he owned throughout his life. It’s known that he resided in various locations, including Nashville, Tennessee, in his later years. However, the specific details of these residences, such as addresses and estimated values, are not publicly accessible. Without detailed information on his real estate portfolio, it is impossible to quantify the contribution of real estate to his overall net worth.
Summary of Glen Campbell’s Net Worth
Glen Campbell’s $50 million net worth in 2017 reflects his long and successful career as a musician, television host, and actor. While precise figures for album sales, royalties, and television contracts are not always available, his extensive discography, numerous television appearances, and enduring popularity all contributed to his financial success. The $50 million net worth represents the culmination of decades of hard work and talent in the entertainment industry, although the distribution of assets between various forms remains unknown.
